A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first Epistle generall of John by ... John Cotton ...

1 JOHN 4.5, 6.

They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us: hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of errour.

Doct. THat according to the several descents of Ministers, such are their severall doctrines and severall hearers.

Quest. What is it to be a worldly teacher?

Answ. 1. Teachers are said to be of the world, because it is their naturall frame and temper to be worldly, John 3.23. There be severall descents of Mi∣nisters, some have no other spirits then that they draw from their Parents, but the Spirit of God comes down from God upon some Ministers, and makes them walk by another rule then worldly men doe.

2. Worldly men savour the things of the world; if a man be of a divine Spirit, he relisheth divine matters, the saving of the souls of Gods people, he relisheth the danger of sin; but a worldly teacher, he relisheth preferment and house-keeping, his spirit reacheth no higher.

3. The end of worldly teachers are worldly. And

First, To draw disciples after them, Acts 20.30.

Secondly, They have respect to their wages of unrighteousnesse, they love onely to live in pleasure, and keep a good house, 2 Pet. 2.13. But godly Mi∣nisters labour to make Disciples for God, Mat. 28.19, 20. they make not disciples for themselves; for what is Paul? or what is Apollos? They doe not seek their hearers goods, but their souls good, they look for their pleasure in another world, 2 Cor. 12.15. According to the descents of Ministers, such are their doctrine, and such are their hearers; wordly teachers speak of the World, and from worldly principles, and from worldly helps, and to worldly ends.

Quest. What is meant by the world?

Answ. 1. The world is a masse of mankind, that lies in a state of corruption, such as fell in Adam, and never rise again, of whom it is said, you are of the world, John 15.19. wicked men are called the world, because they are but flesh and bloud, John 3.6.

2. They savour of those things that are of the world, every man speaks of matters in his own element.

3. Because most of the world are such, 1 John 5.19. the world lyeth in wickednesse, take up their rest therein.

4. Because they have their portion in this world, Psal. 17.14. but a childe of God looks for another inheritance, immortall and undefiled, 1 Pet. 1.4. Again, those that are of the world would not have their conscience troubled, they would goe home in peace, and possesse all they have in peace; but those that are of God, they doe relish the things of God, they cannot relish worldly teachers, because they speak not to the conscience, nor shew how to lay hold of eternall life, and to make their calling and election sure, and if they speak of heavenly matters at any time, they see such speak but with a cold affection, and therefore they goe home, and not affect them; but when a godly Minister preaches in an heavenly manner, he being moved by a godly principle, his conversation is in Heaven, Phil. 3.20. he talks of Heaven, Mat. 12.35. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things.

Ʋse. If Ministers would know their own spirits, let them consider what do∣ctrine they deliver, what end they aime at, and what are their hearers, and so by this means, they will easily discern their own spirits.